What are the benefits of Grapefruit essential oil?
Origin & History
Grapefruit essential oil Citrus paradisi is part of the citrus family, Rutaceae, which includes Bergamot, Lime, Orange and Lemon. The Citrus family is believed to have originated from the far east, but citrus trees now grow across the globe. Grapefruit is actually a natural hybrid that occurred in Barbados between a Pomelo (C. maximus) and Sweet Orange (C. sinensis), which were introduced from Asia in the 17th century.
The essential oil is obtained from the rind of the fruit, it is cold pressed/expressed to release the essential oil. Tisserand's Grapefruit essential oil comes from the USA and is sweet, light and refreshing.
What are the benefits of Grapefruit essential oil, and how can it be used?
In Aromatherapy, Grapefruit is used in many ways for both the mind and body. It's uplifting and refreshing for emotions, providing comfort and relief from dark moods and exhaustion. Used in a massage blend, it's a natural detoxifier and digestive tonic, helping to soothe abdominal discomfort and sluggish digestion. In a skin tonic, its astringent qualities make it great for congested and oily skin. Like the other citrus oils, its chemical structure makes it a very cleansing essential oil. This makes it the perfect oil for cleaning around the home, filling it with an uplifting and bright aroma.
You can find Grapefruit in Tisserand's Restore Balance blend. Known for its ability to settle hormone-related mood swings and boost your mood, this oil plays an important part in the blend whilst also bringing a zingy, uplifting note to the aroma.
What else do you need to know?
Like all the citrus essential oils, it is considered a ‘top note’, meaning that you will need a fair amount of it in a blend. It is also phototoxic, meaning that if you use it above a certain % in your blend for a topical application, you should not expose your skin to sunlight or UV light for 12 hours. All the phototoxic essential oils have different phototoxic rates. With Grapefruit, you should not use it above 4%; this means no more than 20 drops in 25ml. Also, it is wise to use all citrus essential oils within 12 months of opening them as they oxidise rapidly, meaning they may cause skin sensitivity if used beyond this time.
Grapefruit has been shown to have adverse reactions with certain medications. This, however, relates to the fruit and not the essential oil.
Like all the citrus essential oils, it blends with many other essential oils bringing an enlivening and uplifting note to a blend.
Here are a few blends for you to try at home
Detox Massage Blend
Great to use for sluggish digestion or for when you may have overindulged!
To 20ml of blending oil, add the following drops and massage over your body. NOT FOR THE FACE.
4 drops of Grapefruit Citrus paradisi
2 drop of Cypress Cupressus sempervirens
4 drops of Lemon Citrus limonum
Euphoric Diffuser Blend
Add the following drops to your AromaSpa for a wonderful, balancing, joyful blend.
5 drops of Grapefruit Citrus paradisi
1 drop of Jasmine Jasminum officinalis
2 drops of Sandalwood Santalum album
Skin Cleansing Facial Massage Blend
Use this blend for congested, dull skin. To 20ml of blending oil, add the following drops.
2 drops of Grapefruit Citrus paradisi
2 drops of Palmarosa Cymbopogon martini
Apply at night after your usual cleansing routine. Take a small amount of the blend and massage it into your face, avoiding the delicate skin around the eyes and the mouth.
I hope you enjoy using your Grapefruit essential oil, do let us know how you are using yours!
About Jo KellettOur essential oil expert, Jo Kellett TIDHA MIFPA CIMI, graduated from the Tisserand Institute of Holistic Aromatherapy in 1996. She returned to the college in 1999 as an Essential Oil Therapeutics Tutor, where she taught until the college closed. Jo runs a successful private Aromatherapy practice in Brighton, specialising in Women’s health. Jo is also an internationally published author and has lectured on the subject of Aromatherapy both in the UK and abroad.
For more information on Jo Kellett, check out her website or Instagram
